Data Services In Sacramento CA At NW Database Services

Structured Vs. Unstructured Data: What’s the Difference?

Data analysts must be able to differentiate between data types. All types of big data can be classified into one of two categories: unstructured or structured data.

Data should be organized into tables, columns, rows in an ideal world. They are neatly stored in a warehouse or relational database. You can then use this information to extract useful information. However, data seldom starts this way in reality. Raw data, which is unstructured, can be a stream of chaotic information stored in large, disorganized repositories called data lakes. You’ll have trouble applying traditional analytics to this kind of data. First, your data must be in order and cohesive before you can gain insights. Once this is complete, you can begin targeted activities such as data mining (identifying patterns in data) or predictive analysis (testing hypotheses).

What’s the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Data?

It is important to understand qualitative and quantitative data before we can fully appreciate the differences between structured data and unstructured data. We’ve written an entire post about this topic, but here is the summary:

In a simple table, the differences between quantitative and qualitative data are displayed side-by-side

Quantitative data refer to quantities. They can be measured, or given numerical values. You can use quantitative data to show dates, times and weights.

Qualitative data are, however, primarily descriptive. These data are things that can be observed, but not necessarily measured. These include blood types, brand names, car brands, product reviews, names, eye colors, and even eye color. Although qualitative data can contain numerical values, they are often descriptors and classifiers rather than following any established measurement scale. For more information, see ordinal data.

These definitions don’t have to be complicated. Understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative data can help you distinguish between structured and non-structured data. As we continue, this will become apparent.

What Is Structured Data?

Structured data refers to data that fits within a predefined data structure. It is a predefined data model that defines data types and rules for accessing and processing those data. Structured data can be any clearly labeled information database (excel file, SQL database or data warehouse). This data is stored in tables with clear relationships between rows, columns, and tables. It is easy to analyze and mine this data. SQL (Structured Query Language) is a common tool for this purpose.

Structured data can be easily sorted and labeled because it is well documented. Let’s take, for example, a customer email campaign. There may be a lot of customer information in your customer relationship management system (CRM), including phone numbers, invoices, and history of interactions.

Northwest Database Services has 34+ years experience with all types of data services, including mail presorts, NCOA, and data deduplication. If your database systems are not returning poor data, it is definitely time for you to consult with a data services specialist. We have experience with large and small data sets. Often, data requires extensive manipulation to remove corrupt data and restore the database to proper functionality. Call us at (360)841-8168 for a consultation and get the process of data cleaning started as soon as possible.

NW Database Services
404 Insel Rd
Woodland WA 98674
(360)841-8168

Sacramento is the state capital of California and is rich with history, culture, and countless things to do. Sacramento is known for its laid-back atmosphere, fantastic food, an abundance of wineries, and booming economy. The city is called “the city of trees” because of the many gardens, arboretums, and hiking trails around the city. Located an hour and a half from San Francisco, Sacramento is great for tourists and offers a lot to local residents.

History

Maidu Indians, Shonommey, and Valley Miwok have lived in the Sacramento area for centuries. However, they did not leave much evidence like the settlers after them. Anywhere between 1806 and 1808, Gabriel Moraga, a Spanish explorer, discovered and named the Sacramento Valley and the Sacramento River after the term ‘sacrament.’ In 1839, John Sutter arrived at its shore and set up the Sutter’s Fort. As the settlement started to grow, it attracted more businessmen to the area looking for opportunities. It was during the Gold Rush in 1848 that the Sacramento area was created. It became a trading center for miners. The level of the city was raised between 1864 and 1877 using a landfill to prevent flooding. The California State Legislature was moved to Sacramento in 1854 and named the permanent State Capital. It became a major distribution and transportation point during the early 1900s and saw a major technological improvement. The population of Sacramento continues to grow after that.

Climate

Summers in Sacramento are hot, arid, and mostly clear. It is considered to be one of the sunniest locations in the world, with about four months of sunny days out of the year. The winters are cold, wet and short, and partly cloudy. Snowfall is rare, and it is never too cold. The temperature varies anywhere from 39°F to 94°F throughout the year and barely goes above 103°F or below 31°F. The best time to visit Sacramento and enjoy the city’s many activities is anywhere from mid-June till the end of September.

Demographics

Sacramento is identified as one of the most culturally diversified metro cities in the country. The five largest ethnic groups in Sacramento are White, Asian, African-American, and Hispanic. More and more people are moving to the city to find affordable housing, hoping to save more than in other bigger cities. The variety of industries running the economy of Sacramento makes it a great place to find jobs.

Transportation

As a metropolitan area, the most preferred mode of transportation in Sacramento is a car. But the city also has decent public transportation, which continuously improves. From light rail trains, taxis, and Amtrak to vans and buses, you can choose from a number of options for local and inter-regional transit. Sacramento also has an international airport that connects the city to other major cities around the country.

Top Businesses

Sacramento has a diverse industry running its economy, and its job diversity is what attracts people to the city. Some of the top industries that are part of the local economy are technology, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and education initiatives. While Sacramento may not have top industries or companies, it is home to companies such as Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Paramount Building Solutions, McClatchy, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Sutter Health, and PORAC. With an international airport, seaport, rail hub, and junction within a few miles of Sacramento, it is ideal for commercial shipping, which further adds to the growth of the city’s economy.

Sacramento CA Map